A recent study by Antivirus developer McAfee and the National Cyber Security Alliance found that while people think their home computers are safe from viruses and malware, they’re really not. Over 90% of the people that participated in the study believed that they had antivirus or anti-malware software installed and that it was updating at least weekly. As it turns out, only 51% of those people actually were protected.
Before we discuss this study further, I think it’s worth pointing out McAfee’s involvement and the fact that the results of this study benefit them. As one Slashdot commenter points out, “How often have you seen a study that was spontaneously initiated and paid for by a company turn out to be against the company’s best interests?”
With that said, it’s not hard to believe that people think they’re protected when they’re really not. Think about all of the software that comes pre-loaded on computers these days. Consumers see that there’s an anti-virus installed, yet they rarely pay attention to the fact that it’s just a free trial that won’t last forever if there is even one to start with. Another big issue is simply the lack of education. The majority of consumers don’t realize, and haven’t been educated on anti-viruses to know that there are great free alternatives out there and that there’s no need to pay for a security solution which often times keeps them from getting an antivirus in the first place.
Aside from looking at antivirus protection, the study looked at firewall and anti-spyware solutions and found that 73% of Americans think that they have a firewall installed when only 64% really do. Similarly, 70% of Americans think that they have anti-spyware software when only about 55% actually do. At this point, it’s inexcusable that consumers still haven’t been educated enough on keeping their computers secure.
On a more positive note, this study did reveal that Americans do know about other online dangers that exist, which is promising. Out of the people surveyed, 99% have at least heard of Spyware before while 75% have at least heard of phishing attacks which are both serious threats. Now if we could just get everybody educated on how to keep themselves safe from viruses, spyware, and phishing threats, we’d be much better off!
I think it’s safe to assume that many of you are the designated “computer fixer” for your family and friends, so what do you generally find when you go to work on their computers? Do they have good anti-virus software installed, and is it updating regularly? Or would they be part of the 51% of people who think that their computer is safe when it really isn’t? While your computer may be safe, you may want to remind your family and friends to double check that they are in fact protected.
Thanks for the tip Cory!
Source: Slashdot
Most people tend to have whatever came with their computers when they purchased it. So, I find they’re usually running a version of Norton. But the fact of the matter is, it almost doesn’t even matter what people run. They’ll always find ways to infect their computers to hell and back.
I blame Micro$oft for alot of this. Yes, they have made computers accessible to everyone, which I think is a great stride. However, they continue to make their software and by extension, all third-party Windows software, more and more idiot-resistant and easier to use. This leaves the computer world more accessible to the naive and stupid. How many people could write a virus for Linux? Now, how many could write one for Windows? Betcha could probably do it using a Word or Excel macro (not that I’ve tried or anything
).
It’s naivete, and it doesn’t help that computer resellers are about the hardware and the fun stuff, but they probably don’t push the security very hard.
Remember: no matter how idiot proof you make something, the world WILL create a bigger idiot!
I just spent 6 hours at a friend of a friends house. Went over to look at one thing, then noticed that NONE of his 4 pc’s had active anti-virus software or any form of anti-spyware. Avast picked up a total of 107 viruses and Spysweeper found another 37 items across all the pc’s. Funny thing is is 15 year old daughter was pissed at me because her system was down during the scans and just kept saying that the pc’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it. Ofcourse it was the worst of the 4 pc’s. I don’t expect users to know everything, but to be completely blind amazes me.:roll:
The best defence from viruses and spyware is common sense.
This just in: Viruses and spyware spreading like wildfire
Hey, my AOL Kapersky is auto updating again. Wuhu. Glad I waited it out.
The second best defense, keeping your software up to date. PSI is a great freely available tool to have naive users install on their system.
[psi.secunia.com]
And the third would probably be using an AV program.
The first thing I always do for people I see using Norton or McAfee is remove it. I know when the license expires they will not renew it, and then they are vulnerable all over again. But yes, no matter what there are plenty of people out there who are magnets for viruses.
There’s no doubt that you could write a malicious macro, but you could do a similar thing in OpenOffice on Linux if you really wanted to. I’m actually surprised at how many OpenOffice users never realize that there have been security holes opened up in Linux as well due to the office suite.
Now that sounds like a good time! I try to stay clear of doing things like that because of how ignorant people are, and they never really appreciate anything you do. You’ll go back over in two weeks just to find out that it is worse than before. *sigh*
Unfortunately users can’t get a subscription to that in the store.
That good news! Kinda funny how it has its ups and downs.
That is a great application, but unfortunately it is only the tech savvy that know about it. That’s the people who need it the least!
This is exactly the kind of story I was expecting to hear! It always amazes me that someone could have 4 computers in the house without one having an anti-virus. Yikes!
I find it hard to believe that 70% of American’s even know what a firewall is.
It would be interesting to know what the global trend is as this is a US only survey. But i would say that if a survey is carried out the results will only be worse and not better.
Well, they probably just assume that it is some part of the antivirus. I don’t actually know many people who know what a firewall is.
I bet the Japanese would raise the bar. They are way too tech savvy not to know that kind of stuff.